LGBTQ

LGBTQ is an acronym used to refer collectively to communities defined by non-heterosexual orientations and non-cisgender identities. The most common form expands to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning, with the plus sign indicating inclusion of others such as intersex, asexual, pansexual, and more. Some variants use LGBTQIA+ to acknowledge a broader spectrum of identities.

Lesbian refers to women who are attracted to other women; gay often refers to men who are attracted to men but can be used more generally for same‑sex attraction; bisexual describes attraction to more than one gender. Transgender describes people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Queer is an umbrella term for non-normative sexual orientations and gender identities, while questioning denotes individuals exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity. Intersex refers to variations in sex characteristics present from birth. Asexual describes individuals who experience little or no sexual attraction, and pansexual refers to attraction regardless of gender. Terms evolve over time and individuals may choose labels that best fit their experiences.

The modern LGBT rights movement arose in the late 20th century, with events such as the 1969 Stonewall uprising often cited as catalysts. Since then, many countries have enacted protections against discrimination, recognized relationships, and expanded health and social services. Regional differences are significant, and legal, social, and cultural acceptance varies widely.

In contemporary discourse, LGBTQ communities advocate for equal rights, visibility, and safety, while engaging in ongoing conversations about inclusion, intersectionality with race, religion, disability, and other identities, and the evolving language used to describe diverse experiences.